The Chicest Movie Posters of All Time

Posted: Oct 18 2015

A masterful movie poster does so much more than merely promote a new release to the masses: it creates an aura of anticipation, imparting a feeling that goes much deeper than a simple description or a list of stars ever could. Beyond the cinema itself, certain movie posters constitute some of the most innovative, exciting examples of graphic design from the 20th and 21st centuries. Here, we chart eight of the most beautiful film posters ever to grace the walls of your local theatre.

The Lobster, 2015 Image courtesy of Picturehouse Cinemas

The Lobster, 2015When posters for The Lobster – the first English-language film from Greek auteur Yorgos Lanthimos – were released in May, a certain kind of film fan rejoiced. The duo of posters, designed by the brilliant Vasilis Marmatakis, sees lead actors Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz embracing the empty silhouette of their partners, hinting at the complex themes of love and isolation that are explored in the film. Marmatakis, who previously headed up the esteemed Greek design studio MNP, was also responsible for the titles for Lanthimos’s 2009 film Dogtooth, and it’s easy to see what constitutes the Marmatakis touch: clean lines, striking typography and a visual riddle that provokes real curiosity in the film itself.

Black Swan, 2015Courtesy of LaBoca

Black Swan, 2015 Created by London design studio LaBoca, this set of four posters for Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan call to mind the geometric aesthetic of Czech and Polish posters that were popular during the 60s and 70s. The shape of the swan itself becomes a key element of each poster’s construction, suggesting the grace of movement, with a futurist palette of dark red, black and cream. The visual references may point backwards to illustrious 20th century design history, but the finished package represents an enduring and elegant piece of movie memorabilia.

Carol, 2015Image courtesy of Instagram

Carol, 2015Based on Patricia Highsmith’s novel The Price of Salt, Carol brings the inimitable Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett together to portray the relationship between a young photographer and the sophisticated older woman she falls for. The poster juxtaposes the two women in a hazy, black and white profile, allowing their relative beauty and ages to stand together, while the tagline, taken directly from the novel’s original text, makes an evocative promise of adventure and romance to come within the film’s story.

Rosemary’s Baby, 1986Image courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes

Rosemary’s Baby, 1986Designed by prolific designers Phil Gips and Stephen Frankfurt, a powerhouse poster duo who also created the artwork for iconic films such as Network and Alien, here Mia Farrow’s profile provides the ghostly backdrop for a stark silhouette of a pram, balanced precariously on a ridge. ‘Pray for Rosemary’s Baby,’ implores the tagline, marking this poster out as one of a series of classic 60s posters which use an enigmatic sentence to entice the viewer. This method of poster design – illustrating a pervasive, haunting image with a curious strapline – creates a distinct atmosphere of intrigue around a film.

Metropolis, 1927

Metropolis, 1927 Fritz Lang’s Metropolis has that wonderful quality of being simultaneously timeless and ephemeral in its era, and this poster, designed by Boris Bilinsky, is no different. The Russian émigré designer was commissioned to create materials for the French release of the seminal dystopian film, and this architectural feast was the result. Recalling MC Escher as well as then-contemporary Cubist works by Braque and Picasso, Bilinsky’s stunning structural masterpiece is a perfect fit for the technical dexterity of the film itself.

The Grand Budapest Hotel, 2014

The Grand Budapest Hotel, 2014Known for his meticulous attention to detail and illustrious art direction, Wes Anderson’s pictures always come excellently packaged with promotional materials. The Grand Budapest Hotel print introduced viewers to that eponymous building in all its whimsical, pink splendour. Designed by art director Annie Atkins, who remained on set in rural Germany during filming, the poster remains true to Anderson’s unique playfulness while also inviting the audience into the carefully created fictional world of the film itself.

Vertigo, 1958

Vertigo, 1958The poster that designer Saul Bass created for Alfred Hitchcock’sVertigo might well be the most iconic movie poster of all time, and it’s certainly one of the most enticing: a silhouetted couple tangle in the centre of a jarring vortex, as mirrored in the film’s title sequence. Bass, who later worked on as a visual consultant on West Side Storyand designed many other famous cinema posters, became known for his symbolic visual style that could encapsulate a film’s inner workings far greater than a simple still or character image ever could.

Secretary, 2002Image courtesy of Pinterest

Secretary, 2002The racy themes of Steven Shainberg’s Secretary were laid bare in its poster, which sees Maggie Gyllenhaal as submissive secretary, Lee Holloway, taking a provocative stance. Her pose plays with the well-worn design trope of the legs-akimbo film poster, familiar from the likes of For Your Eyes Only, subverting it into something more intriguing. Meanwhile, a typewriter font instructs the viewer to ‘assume the position’, lest we are confused about what the film is about, while the fact that Gyllenhaal’s face, as well as the picture’s other star, James Spader, are hidden from view entirely creates a frisson of curiosity about what might befall the pair. This provocative poster caused global controversy on its release, and has since become a highly coveted collectable.

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To exchange an EPOKHE product please follow the simple steps below:1. Complete the Returns / Exchanges section on the lower part of your invoice & enclose it with your return merchandise. Be sure to complete all fields to ensure prompt turn around.

2. Pack all items with your invoice in a secure carton or reuse the original packaging.Please ensure that all boxed items are securely enclosed in a satchel as we are not able to accept them if damaged.

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EPOKHE Returns1/7-17 Brigantine StreetByron Bay NSW 2481AUSTRALIA

NOTE: For security and peace of mind, we strongly suggest insured registered post as EPOKHE.co is not liable for lost return parcels.

5. Once received in our warehouse, we will inspect and process the goods within 24 hours (Mon––Fri) to ensure you receive your exchange / refund as quickly as possible. So you are kept informed, we will send you an email confirming your exchange or refund, and how it is being processed to your original form of payment.6. EPOKHE.co will then gladly cover the cost of shipping your new product if it is deemed to be faulty, any shipping costs for exchanges will be covered by you.

Faulty Returns Needing Repair

If you have a faulty item that you would like repaired, please follow the simple steps of a normal return as shown above.Please make sure you enclose your original invoice, along with a description of the fault. Please contact us at webstore@epokhe.co “Attn:Returns” if you need a new copy of the invoice.Once received in our warehouse, we will inspect and send the goods & then issue a refund or repair the goods. We aim to have your refund processed within 48 hours of receiving. Contact will be made by email informing you of the RA Number and all relevant details.If an order is deemed faulty, we will reimburse the return postage up to a total of $10.00. For further in depth information on warranties and faulty items, please contact our customer service team.

Return Terms and Conditions

EPOKHE.co returns department operates Monday––Friday. Once your order is received in our warehouse, we will inspect and process the goods within 24 hours.We will inform you by email when your transaction is being processed.Please note that NO Exchanges can be made in person at the warehouse. Please contact customer service if you have special requirements regarding this.EPOKHE.co cannot accept COD deliveries.Please note that if you are wanting to exchange or return boxed goods, they must be returned to EPOKHE.co in the original unmarked packaging and in good condition.If the items are being posted back, please ensure you pack them inside a satchel & do not attach anything to the outside of the original packaging.Should the packaging be marked or in unsatisfactory condition there may be a chance that we will not exchange or refund the goods.

Returns address:

EPOKHE Returns

1/7 17 Brigantine StreetByron Bay NSW 2481AUSTRALIA

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Understanding Frame Measurements

All EPØKHE frame measurement markings can be found on the inside of the left temple (side arm), you'll see a 7 digit number that looks like this:

51 [] 21 145

Lens Width [] Bridge Width Temple Length

This information describes the size of your glasses. The first two digits are the lens width. The second two digits are the bridge width and the third three digits are the temple or side length. All measurements are given in millimeters.

The table of frame measurements below can help you choose an EPØKHE style with confidence by comparing these measurement with your current eyewear.